Top 5 Dog Grooming Franchises in the UK

Lily Sweeney, writer

Published at 04/12/2021, Updated on 22/10/2024 , Reading time: 6 min

Top 5 Dog Grooming Franchises in the UK — Photo © Top-5-Dog-Grooming-Franchises-in-the-UK.jpg

If you’re passionate about animals - especially doggies of all shapes and sizes - and you’d also love to start your own business, a dog grooming franchise should be an excellent fit. Here are five of the best dog grooming franchises available for investment heading into 2021. Keep reading, and find your perfect professional fit.

Becoming a dog groomer means entering a growing sub-sector of the pet care industry, and as a franchisee in this sub-sector, you’ll benefit from plenty of demand and your clients will consist of a whole host of pampered pooches and beloved regulars. Owners spend a whopping £10 billion a year on their dogs in the UK [GroomArts Academy], and much of that could come to you.

What is a dog grooming business?

A dog grooming business cleans, cuts and shapes the coats of all kinds of dogs. Groomers also check for common disorders/parasites as they work, and going to the groomer can train a dog to be better behaved. Some dog-focused franchises solely offer grooming services, but many more offer a combo of different care and sitting services inclusive of grooming. (The type of franchise that best suits you is something only you can determine.) When you’re running a pet franchise focused on dog grooming, your regular responsibilities will include:

Managing a team of employees/your own time (depending on the type of investment you make)
Caring for dogs, preparing them and grooming them
Keeping accurate records/inventory
Marketing your dog grooming franchise
Maintaining your premises and keeping it extremely hygienic and clean

The 5 best dog grooming franchises in the UK

The franchise businesses that follow aren’t all strictly classed as groomers, but in every single case, you’ll be working closely with dogs and their owners, providing for canine needs each working day. Keep reading, and discover some of the best pet franchise investment opportunities available to you right now...

1. Dial a Dog Wash

Dial a Dog Wash is a well-loved dog grooming service first established in 1999. The franchise is all about providing dogs with a low-stress environment and encouraging repeat custom.

Becoming a Dial a Dog Wash franchisee: You don’t need any industry experience, just a genuine love for/desire to care for dogs.
How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £14,999.
What you get for your investment: You’ll receive an extensive training programme and plenty of ongoing support, as well as discounted rates with grooming suppliers and marketing materials to distribute in your operational area.

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2. Barking Mad

Trusted Barking Mad carers care for owners’ pets while they’re away, and dogs stay in the home of their carers (a more relaxed and comfortable atmosphere for them).

Becoming a Barking Mad franchisee: You don’t need industry experience, but you will need a love of dogs, a can-do attitude and the drive to build a business.
How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £10,000, with a total investment cost of £14,995.
What you get for your investment: As well as a comprehensive training programme, Barking Mad offers franchisees operational equipment, FIDO business software, corporate apparel and marketing materials as part of its franchise package.

3. Friends for Pets

Founded in 2008, Friends for Pets provides a range of high-quality care services to its creature clients, including dog walking, pet sitting and horse care.

Becoming a Friend for Pets franchisee: You don’t need relevant experience, but you should be a hard-working animal lover with a strong desire to run a franchise.
How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £8,995, with a monthly operating fee charged at 10%.
What you get for your investment: You’ll be fully trained on all aspects of the business including operations, animal behaviour, welfare and nutrition and business set-up, and you’ll then have access to all the ongoing franchisor support you need.

4. Wagging Tails

Since 2007, Wagging Tails has been one of the leading dog boarding services in the UK. It believes dogs need a holiday too, matching them with carefully selected, licensed carers.

Becoming a Wagging Tails franchisee: You don’t need industry experience, but you will need plenty of business acumen and a deep love of animals.
How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £4,995, with a total investment cost of £12,995.
What you get for your investment: You’ll benefit from a comprehensive training programme that addresses topics such as the recruitment of carers, using Wagging Tails’ bespoke systems, marketing and taking bookings.

5. PetStay

PetStay is a franchise that’s committed to delivering quality care to dogs across the UK. Established in 2005 by Carole Davy, the business is now globally recognised and trusted.

Becoming a PetStay franchisee: You don’t need any prior experience in the pet industry, but you should have business acumen, strong customer service skills and a huge love of dogs.
How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £9,995.
What you get for your investment: You’ll receive a three day initial training programme, plus business training, technical training, marketing training and all the ongoing support that you need.

>> Read more:

Why not try running your own business in the pet grooming industry?

If you love what you’ve discovered today, don’t let anything stop you from making your investment. The dogs of the UK need your attentive care and support, after all. If you’re still on the fence about what the best industry for you might be, consider your priorities and keep on looking.

Would you love to be working outdoors? If so, check out gardening and outdoor fitness as potential avenues for investment. Do you like to have a real and positive impact on your community? If yes, check out home care and tutoring as potential avenues for investment. Your ideal next career move is out there - now you just need to figure out what it might be!